According to CDC, 1 in 2 sexually active individuals may contract an STD by the age of 25. Nearly twenty million new STIs are detected annually, most occurring in people aged 15-24. Untreated STIs can develop into serious, life-threatening diseases. STD testing is necessary to detect the infection early on and undergo treatment before it affects your reproductive health and wellbeing. Early testing helps protect your unborn baby from infection as well. Learn more about the state’s best STD screening options in San Jose, California.
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California reported a 30-year high rate in three common STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) and HIV in 2018-19. Around 350,000 Californians were diagnosed with an STI in 2019. In the post-COVID era, gonorrhea rates increased significantly (nearly 200%), whereas chlamydia rose by 56%. Since 2010, the state has recorded a dramatic rise in syphilis and congenital syphilis rates, each marking a 265% and 600% increase, respectively. This alarming trend makes it necessary for every sexually active person to undergo STD testing, especially for high-risk groups, including people aged 15-49. There are many low-cost and free STD testing centers in San Jose, California, listed here.
2060 Aborn Rd Ste 200, San Jose, California 95121
2.37 mile
Tel: 4085320679
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
2470 Alvin Ave, San Jose, California 95121
1.73 mile
Tel: (408) 274-7100
Tel: (408) 274-8763
Appointment Required: No
Anyone is eligible for sexual health counseling services. Eligibility for HIV testing is determined through risk assessment with counselor. Most people qualify. Referrals for PrEP Navigation and STD Testing.
749 Story Rd, Ste 50, San Jose, California 95122
1.97 mile
Tel: (408) 975-2730
Appointment Required: Yes
Must enroll as a patient in order to receive services.
195 E Virginia St, San Jose, California 95112
2.32 mile
Tel: (408) 457-7100
Appointment Required: Yes
Punjabi and Urdu translation also available.
5138 Monterey Rd, Ste G, San Jose, California 95111
3.32 mile
Tel: (408) 687-4806
Appointment Required: Yes
Use our confidential STD symptom checker to get an idea of what STDs/STIs your symptoms align with and what STD tests are recommended to you.
Start Symptom CheckerWhich Method of STD Testing is Suitable for Me?
Every sexually active individual must protect their sexual health. Regular STD testing is the only way to care for your sexual health. However, sometimes it becomes confusing to select the right testing method as there are so many options available. For your convenience, we have gathered information about all available STD testing methods in San Jose, California. Check them out to find out which option is suitable for you.
| Testing Method | Waiting Times | Speed of Results | Positive Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|
Private Testing (Walk-In Clinic) | 10-20 Minutes with No Wait | 24-72 Hours | Free With Positive Result |
At-Home STD Testing | No Wait | 5-11 Days | Free With Positive Result |
Doctor Visit with Insurance | Call for Appointment | 7-10 Days | Co-Pay Required |
Doctor Visit without Insurance | Call for Appointment | 7-10 Days | Out-of-Pocket Cost Required |
Public Clinic | Limited Hours and Long Lines | 7-14 Days | No |
Learn more in our ultimate guide to STD testing.
Although NAATs are well-known for their accuracy and sensitivity in detecting most STDs, it is also subject to certain inconsistencies, especially in the case of herpes infections. In Herpes, outbreaks often result in a relative increase in the patient’s viral load – leading to a timeline that usually has specific peaks at certain intervals instead of a consistent rise in viral load throughout. As such, sensitive tests such as NAATs are still unable to accurately diagnose herpes conditions, especially in cases where the patient has recently become asymptomatic and is currently between outbreaks. Other tests such as culture testing and type-specific virologic tests are often employed instead as a confirmatory diagnosis for the patient’s condition.
It would vary depending on the condition that is being tested. STDs behave differently due to the varying pathogenicity of each STD’s causative organism. In some instances, you can get accurately tested as early as two weeks following exposure, while some are intermittently inaccurate due to its recurrence (much like in the case of herpes infections). To avoid this, be sure to discuss the intricacies of the test with your physician to understand whether a particular test could provide you with a conclusive diagnosis or if it still needs another confirmatory test to establish its premise.
Depending on the test being performed and the testing physician's targeted diseases, various types of samples can be requested from you. In some instances, a minuscule blood sample of a few milliliters will be collected, some might ask for a urine sample, and others may opt for a genital swab. Again, the sample being collected will depend on the test being conducted and the outcome that is being targeted for this particular procedure.
It can be, but it does not necessarily have to be. What many people need to understand is that laboratory tests would most often than not be relatively pricey due to the technology that is being utilized behind these diagnostic techniques. However, opting for specific laboratories that offer more convenient testing procedures and discounted prices for diagnostic tests would help ensure that the price will not be much of an issue in providing you with the conclusive diagnosis of your condition. It might take some independent scanning to find the right testing center for you in the most acceptable price range, but it is not as impossible as many people make it out to be.
Considering that a wide variety of testing kits and laboratory procedures can be performed to determine conclusively whether you have a particular STD or not, the time that it will take for your results to return will also be subject to the same inconsistency. Although there are specific laboratories that could produce your results even by the end of the day (albeit, it is extremely rare for institutions to do so unless necessary), most would often take a few days to a week before the results are either delivered or posted online through your secure personal profile (in the case of online transactions). In addition to that, the capability of the laboratory performing the test may also contribute to the overall timeframe of result delivery – causing delays in cases where there are several requests or understaffed to provide expedited results.
Test Advisor
Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
How Does it Work?
Most people experience feelings of hesitation when going to get tested for STD, despite knowing they might have contracted one. EasySTD was created to change that.
Visit your nearest lab or clinic, order your home testing kit online, and follow the given instructions from an STD testing provider.
After ordering your STD test, visit the testing center to get tested or take a self sample including urine, cotton swab, or finger prick with the home testing kit and mail it back.
Receive the lab-certified results of your STD test from your test provider via mail or phone within 2 to 3 days. If the test comes positive, consult your doctor immediately.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
